Breathing Room

It has been a bit since I have posted. We have been even more busy than usual around here. This has been good and bad......

First of all, let me get on written record how much I am enjoying our new living arrangements. Sometimes you don't realize how much you need something until you get it. The amount of "zen-ness" I feel with all this new found room is amazing. It is so odd to walk around our house and have so much empty space. Our new bedroom is great. Our bed is beautiful.

I am glad that we were able to get rid of the stress we were feeling living on top of one another as it made room for all the stresses we added to our plate this month. Todd has of course been dealing with his fathers passing and grief is something that is stressful no matter what. I have been feeling very stressed out too.

Bryce is just over the top right now and it is really a constant battle to keep my sense of humor and my sanity. I pray that three comes and goes quickly!!! She really seems to have been adversely affected by Todd's absence and I am kinda at a loss as to how to help her get over it. His absence also coincided with our move to her big girl room, so I am sure that is part of it as well.

I am looking forward to our trip home for the holidays. Of course that has brought some stress with it as well -- I won't bore you with the details because anyone who lives far away from home and leaves for the holidays know what I am talking about.

I guess the point of this post is that despite all we are going through right now, or maybe partly because of what we are going through I am very clearly able to see and feel what it is like to work to maintain peace in your heart while swirling along in all the worldly chaos. I know that my stresses are so much like all of yours, especially during the holidays. I am finding that this year I am fairing better because I have decided that the stress comes and goes and worrying about it does not change it. The peace I feel in my heart that comes from focusing on what Christmas time is all about - Jesus - is something that does not fade with the end of the season. I am looking forward to sharing time with our family and friends and experiencing all of the joy that this season offers.

I promise to post pictures of the basement very soon. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and all the love that we can send your way!!!!